Page:The leopard's spots - a romance of the white man's burden-1865-1900 (IA leopardsspotsrom00dixo).pdf/343

 "No, but I've had good times with his father. He used to own a hundred slaves. He's a royal fellow, and pretty well fixed in life for a Southern politician. I don't think though I ever saw his boy. Anything really serious?"

"He hasn't said a word—but he's coming to see me next week."

"Well things are moving, I must say!"

"Yes, I pretended I must consult you, before telling him he could come. I didn't want to seem too anxious. I'm half afraid to let him wander about Boston much, there are too many girls here."

Her father laughed proudly and looked at her. "I hope you will find him all your heart most desires, and my congratulations on your first love!"

"It will be my last, too," she answered seriously.

"Ah! you're too young and pretty to say that!"

"I mean it," she said earnestly with a smile trembling on her lips.

Her father was silent and pressed her hand for an answer. As they entered the gate of the home, they met young Harris coming out with some books under his arm. He bowed gracefully to them and passed on.

"Oh! Papa, I had forgotten all about your fad for that young negro!"

"Well, what of it, dear?"

"You love me very much, don't you?" she asked tenderly. "I'm going to ask you to be inconsistent, for my sake."

"That's easy. I'm often that for nobody's sake. Consistency is only the terror of weak minds."

"I'm going to ask you to keep that young negro out of the house when my Southern friends are here. After my sweetheart comes I expect Sallie and her mother. I wouldn't have either of them to meet him here in our